Raza glares at him while she adjusts her sash. “Princess Rose says her reign is an open book. We can ask her anything we want. Unlike the other princesses who are always looking down their noses at her.”
“Jackson?” Rapunzel calls Jax by his formal name and he tenses up. “Princess Rose would like us all to be honorary Ladies-in-Waiting tonight.” She whips her butt-length hair behind her head. “She says she has sashes for all of us to wear. Would you be so kind as to help me find them? I figured we could have a chat while we search.”
My heart beats wildly. I don’t want Jax going off alone with Rapunzel. “I’ll join you.”
“It’s all right. I’ll help the princess,” Jax insists, his violet eyes trying to convey some sort of message. “Don’t wander off. I’ll be right back.”
“But…” How can I stay here when Jocelyn is out there doing who knows what? What is she up to? We were supposed to stay together! I head over to Ollie and Maxine to see if they know anything. “Jax just left with Rapunzel.”
“Flapjacks, that was quick,” Ollie says. “I guess we’ll know her true colors soon enough. Should one of us shadow him?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think he wanted to be followed. It could raise suspicion. Speaking of which, have any of you seen Jocelyn?”
Ollie pales. “I thought she was with you.”
Something is definitely up. “I’ll pop out and find her.”
“There will be no popping!” scolds one of the RLWs, coming up behind us. “Princess Rose said to keep you here.” Maxine’s bad eye begins to roll. “The dinner portion of the meeting will be starting shortly.” The girl tries to lead us all to the table and place me in the head seat. I have to think fast.
“But I’m nervous!” I lie. “My hair needs a touchup, and my lips just aren’t pink enough for the occasion.”
“You look lovely.” The girl looks me over. “Although your nose is shiny.”
“Very shiny,” I agree. “I’ll touch up before Princess Rose joins us. Do you want to go with me to the loo?” Maxine looks ready to say yes when the others sigh.
“A proper lady never announces she’s going to the bathroom or invites others to join her,” says a fairy named Ariana. “You say, ‘I must powder my nose.’”
I feign embarrassment. “I have to powder my nose. Anyone know where the loo is?”
Ariana’s cheeks burn. “The powder room in the Royal Chambers is closest, but there was a water leak in there. I can take you to one in another hall. I’m supposed to escort you anywhere outside this room so you don’t get lost. Shall we?”
Water leak in the main bathroom, huh? No one will go in there unless they’re hiding something. Or someone. I wonder if that’s what Jocelyn was thinking too. “I’m fine,” I insist as Ariana tries to follow. Thankfully a waiter with a large platter of beef cuts her off. “I’ll be right back.”
“Gift bag?” a page asks as I rush out of the ballroom.
Oh, what the heck. I take a second one since I left my first one on my seat inside. Now I have more chocolate! “Thanks! Royal Chamber is this way, right?” The page nods. I hurry as fast as this heavy gown will let me go ’til I find the sign I’m looking for. Royal Court—Held by Princesses Ella, Snow, Rapunzel, and Rose.
I pull at the door and find it locked. Thankfully I’ve got bobby pins to spare in this updo Maxine gave me. I pull one out just as I hear footsteps approaching. Pulling the pin apart so that it is one long piece, I stick it in the lock and poke around ’til I hear the click. The door opens and I slip inside just as I hear a page walk by whistling, “Hey Diddle Diddle.”
There are no lights inside the chamber, but I can make out the four thrones on a pedestal at the front of the room. I walk to the front railing and lean over, imagining what I would come here to ask for. I know Father came once to ask for his glass slipper patent and was denied. That only made me dislike the royals more, and yet after what happened at FTRS, they brought Father here to give him his job back.
What we did at school not only saved his business, but also changed my family’s life. If I fail today, Alva won’t just take the shoe business; she’ll take everything. I shudder and that’s when I hear the whispering. Light is coming from under the doorway to the private chambers. There is only one word I need to hear before I burst through the door. “Gillian.”
I crash right into Jocelyn, who is holding hands with exactly who I suspected. Her sister. Harlow is wearing her finest Evil Queen regalia—a purple cape that has a collar so high it hits her ears. “You!” I point to Jocelyn. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted! You’re working with her.”
Jocelyn’s eyes widen. “Gilly. Wait. You have this wrong. Harlow explained everything.” She tries to take my hand and I shake her off. “Don’t act like Humpty Dumpty! We don’t have much time. You have to—”